Salmonella, FDA actions and Menu Foods returning to ‘normal’
By Gina Spadafori
August 29, 2007
Karen Roebuck of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review expands yesterday’s story on a salmonella outbreak’s link to pet food:
Locally produced brands of cat and dog food are linked to an ongoing salmonellosis outbreak, federal and state officials said Tuesday.
Most people sickened nationwide had contact with dry cat and dog foods produced at the Mars Petcare U.S. plant in Everson, but not with the two dog foods recalled last week. The suspect brands have not been identified.
“This is not information that is consistent with our information,” said Mars Petcare spokeswoman Alice Nathanson, who declined further comment and refused to say how many brands of pet foods have been produced at the Everson plant.
[...]
In the past 18 months, 66 people nationwide — including 25 in Pennsylvania — have been sickened by the Salmonella Schwarzengrund bacteria. Scientists connect victims to the food that causes illness by genetic testing.
Mars Petcare recalled the two brands after the Food and Drug Administration found the same strain of salmonella in those products.
However, none of the people sickened in Pennsylvania and 17 other states had contact with either of the recalled dog foods, said Ian Williams, head of the outbreak team at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch, and Claudine Battisti, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
“The question is: Is there broader contamination of the foods here?” Williams said.
Seems like that has always been the question, hasn’t it? Here’s the rest of the article. On other food fronts, Nutro responds to ConsumerAffairs.com’s questions regarding FDA action against the brand:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July blocked more than 100 Nutro Products — various styles and flavors of its dog and cat food — from entering the United States.
ConsumerAffairs.com learned the FDA took that action at the Port of Los Angeles — and listed Nutro’s pet food on its Import Refusal Report — because the products appeared to contain poisonous substances and unsafe additives.
[...]
ConsumerAffairs.com also contacted Nutro about the FDA’s action. It took the company more than a week to respond to our repeated calls.
Nutro, however, didn’t answer our specific questions.
The company’s Consumer Services Manager, Tamara Cerven, instead e-mailed us Nutro’s official, canned response.
“It has been brought to our attention that confusion has been caused by the Food and Drug Administration’s (“FDA”) Import Refusal Report,” the company’s statement said. “We wish to assure our customers that this report is in no way a cause for concern about the quality and safety of Nutro pet foods currently on store shelves.”
Nutro said the products listed the FDA’s Import Refusal Report are ones affected by Menu Food’s massive recall in March of melamine-tainted dog and cat food.
“This report lists recalled product(s) that have been returned to Nutro from overseas,” according to the company’s statement. “This product is not intended for sale.”
Finally, Itchmo points out an article in the Emporia, Kansas, Gazette about the rebuilding of business at the Menu Foods plant in that city.
Did everyone read that the increase in drug-resistant Salmonella virus is linked to chicken imported from Thailand??????? Was it U.S. chicken sent there for processing or Thai chickens?
It doesn’t matter because we put all kinds of antibiotics, garbage, toxins, and industrial wastes in chicken feed, and companies are doing testing to see how much glycerin (bio-fuel waste product) can be added to pig feed and chicken feed before the glycerin affects the “market weight,” read that— slaughter weight — and appetites of the animals. Again, let’s dispose of wastes and chemicals for big industries in the foods of animals we U.S. citizens consume at the dinner table.
When I used to use commercial dog food, I always kept it in the kitchen and handled it with my hands. What’s different now? Tell me. Our nation’s pet and human food supplies are in crisis!
People, this is another wake up call. Now, let’s see how many PEOPLE will get sick (or even die??) before more information is revealed, if any. Is this a repeat case of scrambling behind the scenes to chase the trail of contamination of HUMAN FOOD?
I hope people who’ve been sick or will get sick SUE BIG TIME because Samonella virus IS something that companies test (or should be testing) for. Lawyers, get ready for some class action suits and hit the companies where it hurts. And companies, get ready to pay out emotional damages for pain and suffering because it’s getting clearer every day that people experience trepidation whenever they have to open a can, bag, or container of food — for themselves AND for their pets.
Comment by petlover — August 29, 2007 @ 8:06 am
In reference to glycerine:
“It’s a source of carbohydrate and can take the place of starch from barley or other grain,” Aranaz said.
…
So far, Acciona has run trials using pig food with eight per cent glycerine content and chicken feed with six per cent and thinks there is potential for mixing up to 10 per cent, he told Reuters.
“There will need to be a lot more research before we can include significant amounts of glycerine,” said Jorge de Saja, secretary general of the Spanish feedmakers’ association CESFAC.
http://www.vitalplanet.net/en/....._to_pigs4/
Let’s see here…
Protein content not high enough?
Add melamine or cyanuric acid.
Don’t want to pay for oats & barley starch in animal feed?
Use glycerine.
What are our animals for human consumption eating? The bigger question is… what are WE eating and turning into as a result?
Comment by petlover — August 29, 2007 @ 8:22 am
Our point from Day One of the pet-food recall was that this was a “canary in the coal mine” issue. We’ve seen only the tiniest piece of the problems with the entire food-supply system — and what we’ve seen ought to scare the bejeebers out of anyone.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 29, 2007 @ 8:29 am
One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a dry
well. The animal cried piteously for hours as
the farmer tried to figure out what to do.
Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to come over and
help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began
to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the
donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly.
Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally
looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel
dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it
off and take a step up.
Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey
stepped up over the edge of the well and
happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds
of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well
is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of
our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping,
never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.
Remember the five simple rules to be happy:
Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.
Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.
Live simply and appreciate what you have.
Give more. Expect less.
NOW …………
Enough of that crap . The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and
the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.
MORAL FROM TODAY’S LESSON:
When you do something wrong, and try to cover
your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 9:43 am
Thanks for my best laugh of the day (so far).
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 29, 2007 @ 10:29 am
You’re welcome!
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 10:37 am
Excellent, Barb!!!!
Comment by petlover — August 29, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
And how long will we have to wait until we hear the names of the “suspect brands”?
Comment by petlover — August 29, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
So if I read correctly..FDA has decided they have the problem licked - plant is clean - no more sickness reported - end of problem!
I’m wondering too; did the chicken come from Thailand? or has something else brought the strain here to our chicken supply? or maybe it’s not just chickens.
So easy to blame on the dog food. We’ve had dogs for 35 years. Commerical food was always stored in the pantry, food is prepared on the countertop. Food was used for training. Breathed it, touched it, etc. and never got sick. What’s Up?
I still think “our canaries in the coal mine” showed us just a sliver of what is wrong - heaven help us when the door is wide open.
Just came home from the grocery store and right next to the Pet Promise pet food is a book by; Kory Swanson and titled; “How Dog Food Saved the World”.
Barb: maybe that donkey could teach the FDA,PFI,etc. a lesson.
Katie
Comment by Katie — August 29, 2007 @ 12:57 pm
I just caught the tail end of a report about to be talked about on CNN..something about FDA ‘outsourcing’ efforts to test American food supply safety. On CNN after the commercial! Holy God!
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
“There must be a tin ear over at the FDA,” said a reporter.
I think we’d all agree!
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 3:26 pm
“…not intended for sale.” So Nutro, what ARE you doing with tons of recalled product - giving it away? What has been happening to all of the contaminated food that we know about since March? Sure, some went to feed poultry, fish and hogs! Is that your idea of “proper handling”?
These same questions apply to all the companies involved with food recalls. Ever wonder what happend to those “botulistic” green beans you returned to the grocery store?
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
Subject: Fw: Iam’s &Eukanuba Canned Food Problems
I just received this email:
I just received this important messages and wants to share with you.
From: Wilma’s Pack
>To: wilma’s orphans
>Sent: Saturday, August 25, 2007 5:32 PM
>Subject: Fw: Iam’s &Eukanuba Canned Food Problems
>This is a member of our kennel club in Altoona! Please read this!
>
>Hello Everyone, I want to warn everyone about IAM’S Canned Food.
>My friend bought a case of Iam’s canned two weeks ago. She fed this to two litters of pups…one litter 12/wks, another 5/months. Within 3/days all were not well, no vomiting, no diarrhea, no temperature.
The Vet tested for everything.. .all came back negative. Pups literally faded away and 6/died!
>
>They were necropsy’s and the livers/kidneys sent to the lab for toxicology testing and found lesions on the livers, and also Aflotoxin poisoning.
>
>My friend found the last can in her garbage can and had that tested also - came back Aflotoxin.
>Please spread this around to anyone you know that feeds this food.
>
>Iam’s &Eukanuba have been informed…also the FDA. This food was NOT on the recall list.
>Wilma at
>Wilma’s Orphans
>www.inn-home.com
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 4:41 pm
Barb - got Altoona - but in PA, Iowa or WI?
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
I checked Wilma’s website and found this info:
Wilma’s Pack at InnHome pet services
82 Henry Street
Hempstead, NY 11550
H = 516 485-5875
C = 516 220-1964
wilma@inn-home.com
I don’t know this person, just received a forwarded email alert she sent out. Try emailing Wilma and asking her.
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
aflatoxin
A fungal toxin which is a powerful liver carcinogen, found particularly in undeveloped and developing countries.
A group of closely related toxic metabolites that are designated mycotoxins. They are produced by aspergillus flavus and a. Parasiticus. Members of the group include aflatoxin b1, aflatoxin b2, aflatoxin g1, aflatoxin g2, aflatoxin m1, and aflatoxin m2.
Pharmacological action: carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens.
aflatoxin b1
A potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin produced by the aspergillus flavus group of fungi. It is also mutagenic, teratogenic, and causes immunosuppression in animals.
It is found as a contaminant in peanuts, cotton seed meal, corn, and other grains. The mycotoxin requires epoxidation to aflatoxin b1 2,3-oxide for activation. Microsomal monooxygenases biotransform the toxin to the less toxic metabolites aflatoxin m1 and q1.
Pharmacological action: carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens.
Chemical name: Cyclopenta(c)furo(3’,2’:4,5)furo(2,3-h)(1)benzopyran-1,11-dione, 2,3,6a,9a-tetrahydro-4-methoxy-, (6aR-cis)-
Has this been found in any of the previously tainted food?
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 5:33 pm
Barb - thanks. Called and left a msg on Wilma’s voice mail asking her to post directly to PC and IM with any lot #s, dates, and state purchased in info she could provide.
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
Barb - Yes per FDA site. Diamond in ‘05 - but nothing more recent.
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
This is beginning to look like young/elderly and animals with compromised immune systems are much more subject to the effects of both thses fungal toxins, just as humans are.
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 6:18 pm
I didn’t get to see Lou Dobb’s, what did they say about outsourcing FDA food safety testing???
Katie
Comment by Katie — August 29, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
not pet related, but just wanted to let folks know more salmonella is out there
California grower recalls salmonella- tainted spinach
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/200.....2yLV8E1vAI
Comment by straybaby — August 29, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
If you need a spinach fix, like I just did, try Earthbound Organic, available at Costco and grocery stores. In the interest of disclosure, I’ve had stock in Costco since ‘92 and watched it go from under $10 to over $50. Off topic stock recommendation.
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
Didn’t get to see Lou Dobbs either; can anyone out there fill Katie and me in?
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
Stupidly I walked out of the room for a second when the story came on, but it was brief…and I only caught the end of it when reporter commented on FDA’s tin ears. Reporter seemed perturbed with FDA, couldn’t get them to confirm yes/no if they were closing the 7 labs talked about at the hearings…and reporter mentioned something about administrative work…I gathered that maybe FDA was considering outsourcing admin workers who track food supply safety…But don’t quote me on that…I messed up and missed the complete interview. Sorry.
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 8:40 pm
Barb - thanks for what you got!
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 8:41 pm
Barb BTW just sent Email to Wilma. Hope she responds to voice or email and isn’t out of touch on a long Labor Day weekend.
Comment by MaineMom — August 29, 2007 @ 8:44 pm
Mark your calendar’s for March 19, 2008 - Food Safety & Security Summit
For 2008 we are extremely pleased to announce that Dr. David Acheson will be one of two planned keynote presenters at the 2008 Food Safety & Security Summit on March 19, 2008. The preliminary focus of this keynote presentation will be The FDA: Crisis and Recovery. More information on this presentation will follow in the coming months.
Read more: http://www.foodsafetysummit.com/sessions.php
Comment by Barb — August 29, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
If anyone is interested, CNN has a transcript of the interview.
http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCR.....dt.01.html
Comment by Roberto — August 30, 2007 @ 8:13 am
MaineMom - I received an email from Wilma this morning. This is what she said:
“i’m sorry for the confusion but i don’t know the person it happened to. i was just cross posting. the only thing i have been able to find out is she is a member of the altoona, pa, kennel club. also got a call from a woman whose kitty is fighting for her life right now after eating iams canned kitty food.”
I wrote Wilma back, asking if she would put me in touch with the woman who’s kitty is fighting for her life…also asking Wilma to have her post here and at itchmo.
Comment by Barb — August 30, 2007 @ 9:31 am
Barb - I received an email from Wilma also. Hope she is able to contact these people and they provide some info.
Comment by MaineMom — August 30, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I removed the political thread. I agree with you that Mr. Hsu’s donations seems to be an attempt to circumvent campaign finance law.
But the fact that he’s originally from Hong Kong isn’t relevant. You attempts to make his donation into a “Democrats are in the pockets of China” charge — while no doubt true of both parties, sadly — just don’t wash and are, frankly, more than a little racist, like suggesting that if I had a network of dubious donors I’d be automatically assumed to be supporting the Italian government’s policies.
I didn’t allow Bush-bashing, and I won’t allow Clinton-bashing. The trade policies that resulted in the wholesale destruction of the U.S. manufacturing sector and the rise of cheap and dangerous Chinese manufacturing supported by moneyed American interests (such as Wal-Mart) is a bi-partisan sell-out of the American people.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — August 31, 2007 @ 5:29 am
“The trade policies that resulted in the wholesale destruction of the U.S. manufacturing sector and the rise of cheap and dangerous Chinese manufacturing supported by moneyed American interests (such as Wal-Mart) is a bi-partisan sell-out of the American people.” (Gina Spadafori — August 31, 2007)
Gina, I couldn’t agree with you more! I was not attempting to bash Clinton, or the Democratic party, and certainly not persons of Chinese descent. (I resent your “racist” label, and want to say that my deleted comments were no more racist than yours could be mis-construed as anti-American.) I am sure that the problems we are having with Chinese imports are definitely a bi-partisan issue, and certainly the current trade agreements that the U.S. has with China have been in place over several administrations and potitical parties.
The news stories speak for themselves, and are all over the web. I didn’t write them, nor make them up. They are either fact or fiction, and your bloggers have enough sense to make up their own minds without your censorship of the news articles (after all, they were in the Wall Street Journal and MSNBC, not the National Enquirer)!
Comment by John — August 31, 2007 @ 8:54 am
You know…
I was just reading an article on all the products/foods that we have sent back to China and issued warnings on here, and something just occurred to me.
Maybe I’m slow, maybe it’s hidden beneath the obvious, or maybe I’m off base completely. But it just hit me…is China trying to get rid of us this way?
I mean, potentially harmful antiobiotics found in honey??? How in the world would antibiotics find their way into honey, unless intentionally added?
Also, I could believe maybe a couple (or even a few) of unscrupulous manufacturers/exporters…but the frequency and quantity of tainted goods coming into our country is now bordering on a blatant plot against the American people, IMHO.
Just my take on this situation today…
Comment by Marcy — September 1, 2007 @ 10:49 am